Environmental issues that can be explored in social science courses include problems with potential to cause serious or irreversible change to an ecosystem or biosphere. Areas for discussion include: environmental attitudes, values, and behaviors; the environmental movement; risk perceptions; and the political economy of the environment and…

A unit in a college course on technology and human values involves the students' questioning of traditional Western values as they relate to technological rationalism, calling dominant ideology into question. The approach is based on Paulo Freire's problem-posing pedagogy, and incorporates analysis of selected paintings from the Futurist movement.…

This article proposes that within the discipline of logic, college students can learn the important elements of persuasive writing. Characteristics of and distinctions between deductive and inductive logic are outlined, and the appropriateness and usefulness of each for different kinds of persuasion are discussed. (MSE)

A religion professor reflects on her approach and experiences in teaching an upper-level course on religion and sexual diversity, looking at conditions in the classroom that create the tolerance needed for discussion, the nature of subsequent classroom discussions of the relationship between body and spirit and about celibacy, and student…

Describes an experience teaching curriculum design to students of educational administration, using synchronous video to teach students at both a distant location and in a university classroom. Topics discussed include the role of the teacher in interactive video conferencing, differing approaches to different kinds of course content, and…

Discusses the nature of hate speech in general, and Holocaust denial in particular, on the World Wide Web, citing specific Web sources. Argues that, although discussion of Holocaust denial may be a difficult classroom discussion topic, and should be approached carefully, intelligent use of the Internet must be taught in the classroom. (MSE)

Guidelines for collaborative, interdisciplinary teaching at the college level are presented, including: restricting the team to two members, in general; agreeing on a trial period; selecting a coteacher with a healthy psyche; selecting course content fertile for interdisciplinary learning; discussing teaching philosophy and methods; reviewing…

Introductory college science courses, particularly those intended for freshmen, are challenging to teach because teachers are trying to inspire student interest. Using visual aids, even homemade, listening carefully to students, understanding that some will fail, encouraging those who have special ability or potential, and developing course…

Argues that statistical literacy is a necessary component of a complete college education and important in combating growing innumeracy in American society, and describes a general education course at the University of Louisville (Kentucky) that includes it. Instruction focuses on societal issues, sometimes controversial, for which an…

Critical thinking is seldom effective at encouraging students to challenge and examine preconceived positions. There is a tendency to use the rigorous questioning methods to defend preconceived positions and deflect the serious consideration of alternatives. An exercise that focused on the Cuban missile crisis is described. (MLW)

Inflated college grades reflect an underlying problem: inappropriate content, modes of presentation, and modes of assessment. Many popular assumptions about how to address the question of standards (modifying transcripts, freeing teachers from external pressure, using grades as an indicator of quality) emphasize grades rather than standards.…

It is proposed that the college core curriculum should provide students with the background to understand magazines and books read by culturally literate, college graduates. As an example, Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind" is examined for important themes, language, and historical and cultural figures. (MSE)

In the cooperative controversy technique, two opposing sides are clearly drawn over a single issue, and learners on both sides cooperate to understand both sides and arrive at a personal position. Students respond enthusiastically to the exercise, are helped in exploring emotional responses to issues, and learn how, not what, to think. (MSE)

This article discusses college-level writing assignments designed to stimulate students to (1) explore initial student attitudes, (2) activate prior knowledge, (3) increase subject relevance, (4) clarify and organize course material, (5) connect new and previously known material, (6) improve critical thinking skills, and (7) develop and strengthen…

Humanities courses in the discussion format can clarify existential problems of the human condition that face students. The craft of teaching lies in assisting the learner out of ignorance into an increased awareness of what it means to be humanly alive. The teacher as catalyst is described. (MLW)